After 18 long months of restoration, it’s a relief to finally say that The Bottle & Glass Inn has opened its doors. After a long search, Alex Sergeant and I found the perfect spot to pursue our vision of founding a quintessentially English pub, and we couldn’t be happier with our home in Binfield Heath, south Oxfordshire.

Long before my thoughts turned to this venture, I was working as head chef of the Pot Kiln in Berkshire, before becoming the general manager of the only Michelin-starred pub in London, The Harwood Arms in Fulham.

Alex and I first crossed paths at The Harwood Arms, although the encounter was fairly brief as I left the pub and my position to him. Alex took the pub from strength-to-strength, and in seven years managed to win a string of awards for both wine and drinks.

We were determined to work together again, as long as the right opportunity arose and naturally jumped at the chance to take on the site in Binfield Heath. We wanted somewhere that screamed ‘traditional English pub’ while being able to accommodate a kitchen and trading spaces that could be run as a food-led operation. The Bottle & Glass Inn ticked all the boxes.

Alex brings his expertise to managing and overseeing the drinks menu, which champions local beers (including Loddon Beer which is brewed on the estate) alongside a carefully curated selection of wines and Champagnes. We both put out heads together in developing a food menu which celebrates locality – where possible we have strived to source meat direct from farmers. Game season is especially exciting, and we are aiming to provide diners with stripped back flavour combinations delivered with refinement. A few examples of dishes Alex and I have collaboratively created are the Oxfordshire wood pigeon, beetroot, pickled berries and cobnuts, and the estate fallow deer chop, brewer’s malt, parsley root and seasonal greens. The dessert menu carries on this proud patriotic theme of best of British, with choices like lemon verbena tart and Laceys Guernsey cream, while our local cheeses are sourced from the nearby Nettlebed Creamery.

Being a country pub, we thought it important to offer some bar snacks to help fortify walkers. We hope that our take on some classics, like pork pies, Lancashire bomb with onion pastry and the bottle & glass Scotch egg, can do the job. There’s also a separate bar which feels like it’s come from a time gone by, with communal pews, benches and a standing room to accommodate locals.

When first thinking about décor, we agreed that the environment had to feel welcoming and traditional, while incorporating modern elements. The result is a space which is rustic yet contemporary, with exposed beams, a wood-burning stove and dark green herringbone tweed curtains. We chose a calming colour scheme, country prints, oak tables and mismatched refurbished chairs to add to the country vibe.

With summer here, guests will be able to take advantage of the beer garden and dining terrace, and visitors can also explore a National Trust woodland from the pub.

We are both extremely excited and we truly believe that this will be a great addition to the Oxfordshire pub and dining scene.

bottleandglassinn.co.uk